0-0 at half time; after bring
on Adebayor we take the lead; then Defoe is taken off for a
midfielder and we concede a sloppy equaliser. Sound familiar?

Aiming to bounce back from last week's disappointing result against
West Brom, there was hope that a first win of the season could be
picked up against a Norwich side also with only one point from two
games. Unfortunately this was not to be the case.

The game still had an air of transition about it, with a team still
learning a new formation and philosophy, but the dominance shown in
controlling the first half of the two previous games was not
exhibited with sloppy passing leading to the breakdown of play on
many occasions. The first chance of note went to Norwich when
Russell Martin got onto the end of a Snodgrass free kick, but
Friedel did well to push it onto the bar. Spurs' chances were less
forthcoming as whenever the ball found itself worked wide crosses
were unsuccessful, with only Defoe to aim for. It took a burst
through the middle from Sandro to bring about a Spurs opportunity,
but again the cross from Bale sailed out harmlessly, although later
on he managed to get a good shot on target that Ruddy did well to
turn wide.

As the half wore on and it became evident that Spurs wouldn't get
through the two banks of four that Norwich put behind the ball they
resorted to multiple long balls, but with no target man to aim for
this was just wasted possession. There was frustration growing as
half time approached and another good header, from Snodgrass this
time, was saved very well from Friedel, but this did not appease the
crowd, as the players were booed off the pitch once again.

The game was crying out for creativity in the middle of the park and
to address this Mousa Dembele was brought on to make his Spurs
debut, replacing Sandro who had a good half. The chance seemed to
have an immediate impact as he linked up well with Bale and
Sigurdsson passing well around the box and making himself available
in midfield although he faded in and out for the rest of the game as
Norwich took control, offering more in attack.

There were a couple of free-kicks given on the edge of the box which
looked like they could have been penalties but both of them came to
nothing and chances were still at a premium even though Adebayor had
joined the fray in place of Sigurdsson, who had looked lost at
times. Nonetheless we managed to break the deadlock when Dembele
rifled the ball into the net from the edge of the box after stealing
the ball, playing a one-two with Defoe and making space for the
shot.

Norwich reacted by bringing on Morison for Jackson and chances
followed with him and Holt being threats from crosses. Defoe was
replaced with Huddlestone to try and shore up the lead. Things
didn't go to plan though as Livermore gave away a needless free kick
on the right with a foul off the ball, the ball was cleared but with
no-one to pick it up outside the box it came back in, Martin heading
it back across for Holt, he moved it on to Snograss, who scored from
a similar position to Morrison last week.

Trying to get back into it the ball was moved forward with more
pace, Huddlestone wound up for a trademark shot, but it was wide of
the goal. That was all Tom had to offer, as he was then sent off for
going into a 50-50 with Howson with two feet. After this it seemed
like Norwich may have been heading for the win with the added
impetus of an extra man, with only Friedel standing in their way,
producing another great save from 20 yards from Johnson. This proved
to be the last real action of the game.

Overall the first half was worrying as possession wasn't retained as
it had been in the previous encounters and the team still missing a
creative spark, although Dembele could fill this role, but time will
be needed to bed him in along with the new signing of the
experienced Dempsey and French captain Hugo Lloris. Hopefully with
two weeks until the Reading game, the team will have time to work on
their problems and we will see an improved XI come the 15th.

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What you
thought

Barry Levington

I am willing to
give AVB more time to get his ideas across and for the new players
to settle in and it annoys me a bit when people boo. Last
season, under Harry Redknapp, we lost to Norwich City, this time we
got a draw. Last season under Harry Redknapp we beat WBA and
this season we drew. Results are up and down at the moment and
don't forget, other teams have strengthened too, so there is time to
get things right.

I
agree that we don't want to drop too far behind the teams who are
already gathering points, but even though they are two draws, we are
two games unbeaten and this could be the start of a long unbeaten
run.

Having said that, some
things have to change. Benoit needs to defend better and stop
crosses coming in form his flank, as some teams seem to have
pin-pointed him as the weak link. If they do come in, we need
to defend them better and that includes whoever is in goal coming
for crosses.

Taking our chances still
needs improving and with Dembele and Dempsey, this may happen, while
the midfield have to work harder to counter any tactics to shut them
down.

Hard work and application or
pass and move ... call it what you will, but it worked in the past
and can work again. Don't get complacent and don't hark back
to last season. This is a new campaign and a new set of
players and coaches.

And the most important thing
is how can Levy not back him with the money he has invested in the
players and back-room staff. We're not Chelsea and hopefully
that will see us through.

Other scores
during this week :

Manchester City

3

Queens Park Rangers

1

Saturday

Swansea City

2

Sunderland

2

Saturday

West Bromwich Albion

2

Everton

0

Saturday

West Ham United

3

Fulham

0

Saturday

Wigan Athletic

2

Stoke City

2

Saturday

Liverpool

0

Arsenal

-

Sunday

Southampton

2

Manchester United

3

Sunday

Newcastle United

1

Aston Villa

1

Sunday

League Table

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

GD

1

Chelsea

3

3

0

0

8

2

9

+6

2

Swansea City

3

2

1

0

10

1

7

+8

3

West Bromwich Albion

3

2

1

0

6

1

7

+5

4

Manchester City

3

2

1

0

8

5

7

+3

5

Manchester United

3

2

0

1

6

5

6

+1

6

Everton

3

2

0

1

4

3

6

+1

7

West Ham United

3

2

0

1

4

3

6

+1

8

Arsenal

3

1

2

0

3

1

5

+2

9

Wigan Athletic

3

1

1

1

4

4

4

0

10

Newcastle United

3

1

1

1

3

4

4

-1

11

Fulham

3

1

0

2

7

6

3

+1

12

Stoke City

3

0

3

0

4

4

3

0

13

Sunderland

2

0

2

0

2

2

2

0

14

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

3

0

2

1

3

4

2

-1

15

Norwich City

3

1

2

0

2

7

2

-5

16

Reading

2

0

1

1

3

5

1

-2

17

Aston Villa

3

0

1

2

2

5

1

-3

18

Liverpool

3

0

1

2

2

7

1

-5

19

Queens Park Rangers

3

0

1

2

2

9

1

-7

20

Southampton

3

0

0

3

4

8

0

-5

Position before match :
14th
Position after match : 14th
Position after the weekend : 14th